Global optimization of low-thrust, multiple-flyby trajectories at medium and medium-high fidelity

Jacob A. Englander, Donald H. Ellison, Bruce A Conway

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Global optimization of low-thrust, multiple-flyby trajectories is one of the most challenging problems in interplanetary mission design. The challenge is to develop a method that can design a complex trajectory with little or no human oversight. In the last few years several authors have developed such methods. To date each of those methods required many simplifications of the low-thrust trajectory model in order to perform a global search. In this work a global optimization framework, the Evolutionary Mission Trajectory Generator (EMTG), is presented. A medium-fidelity model based on the well-known Sims-Flanagan transcription is combined with a global optimization heuristic to generate an initial guess for a medium-high fidelity optimization using an integrated trajectory model. When combined, these two methods allow a trajectory designer to rapidly evaluate a wide range of solutions to complex problems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances In The Astronautical Sciences
EditorsDonald L. Mackison, Ossama Abdelkhalik, Roby S. Wilson, Renato Zanetti
PublisherUnivelt Inc.
Pages1539-1558
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9780877036111
StatePublished - 2014
Event24th AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, 2014 - Mexico, United States
Duration: Jan 26 2014Jan 30 2014

Publication series

NameAdvances in the Astronautical Sciences
Volume152
ISSN (Print)0065-3438

Other

Other24th AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMexico
Period1/26/141/30/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science

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